Biblical Success, Economics, and the Culture

An episode of Faith and Economics

In Faith and Economics, economics professors Dr. Russ McCullough and Dr. Levi Russell discuss big issues that impact economic freedom and human flourishing from a Christian perspective. This podcast is an initiative of the Gwartney Institute at Ottawa University. For more information, contact us atinfo@GwartneyInstitute.org

In this episode we discuss the implications of the Kingdom of God on politics. Dr. Rachel Ferguson, a philosopher at Lindenwood University, joins us to help us understand the link between Christianity and liberalism.
Show notes:
Dr. Rachel Ferguson's Website
"Jesus of Nazareth" by Pope Benedict XVI
"Rerum Novarum" by Pope Leo XIII
"The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt
"Why Liberalism Failed" by Patrick J. Deneen

In this episode we discuss community development and the roles of individuals and governments with Dr. Rebekka Dudensing of Texas A&M University.
Show Notes
Dr. Dudensing's Website
The Little Pink House Documentary
What is Community Development?
People vs Place-Based Development
Who Benefits from State and Local Economic Development Policies?
Do Cities Make Us More Productive? (agglomeration discussion)
Article: "Propping up the boonies, Atlanta’s thankless burden"
Response: "Part 2: A Reply to 'Propping up the Boonies, Atlanta's Thankless Burden'"

In this episode we discuss the idea that piety - the activities and procedures often practiced by Christians - might be a barrier to entry to Christianity. Some might be put off by these practices and may not want to become Christian because of that. As usual, Dr. Russell takes the opposing view.
Show Notes:
Bondage of the Will - Martin Luther
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030N6DIC/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_za.fCbJADQWH0
Five Proofs for the Existence of God - Edward Feser
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0754MJFMG/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_pd.fCbGVY6V6G

Dr. Terry Griffin of Kansas State University talks about his research on the cost farmers incur to attend weekly church services. Dr. McCullough challenges the group to think about physical labor as a way of giving glory to God.
Show Notes:
The Cost of Being Faithful: What Do Farmers Give Up to Keep the Sabbath? - Rosburg, Griffin, and Coffey
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3286359

In this episode we discuss the origins of Santa Claus and the consumerism of the holidays and how we can address it as Christians informed by sound economics.
Show notes:
Veggie Tales - St. Nicholas, A Story of Joyful Giving
https://www.amazon.com/Veggietales-Saint-Nicholas-Joyful-Giving/dp/B002FOFX6U
The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-that-Lasts-ebook/dp/B00OICLVBI/ref=sr_1_1

In this episode we discuss nutritional insecurity and access to food. Our guest, Dr. Brandon McFadden, discusses the state of our knowledge of these issues and how they relate to poverty in the US and abroad. Dr. McFadden fills us in on how we as Christians can help solve food insecurity.

We discuss Hugh Whelchel's book "How Then Should We Work" focusing on Whelchel's notion of a "cultural mandate." Should Christians attempt to influence culture? Should we attempt to use the government to influence culture in Christian ways?
Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance
http://a.co/d/1JJBxLA
Arthur Brooks' TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/arthur_brooks_a_conservative_s_plea_let_s_work_together
How Then Should We Work, Hugh Whelchel
http://a.co/d/ahVuoV9

In this episode we continue our discussion of "How Then Should We Work" by Hugh Whelchel of the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics. You can purchase Hugh's book at the link below.
amzn.to/2PGZtBE
Contact us: info@gwartneyinstitute.org
Note: This is a re-upload of a previous episode after some needed edits were made.

In this episode we discuss federal food programs and non-profit efforts to alleviate hunger in the U.S. Our guest, Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, helps us understand the most recent data on the effectiveness of federal food programs.
Show notes:
Follow our guest on Twitter @DorfmanJeffrey
Econtalk Episode on Food Banks
http://www.econtalk.org/canice-prendergast-on-how-prices-can-improve-a-food-fight-and-help-the-poor/
Contact us: info@GwartneyInstitute.org

We discuss the definitions of a successful life and how economics can inform those definitions. We also discuss Christianity's appropriate role in defining the culture.
Show notes:
Lenore Skenazy's Website
http://www.freerangekids.com/
How Then Should We Work? by Hugh Whelchel
http://a.co/d/7KhD0H9
Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen
http://a.co/d/ao9TyF4
Milton Friedman and the Ford Pinto
https://youtu.be/lCUfGWNuD3c
Contact us: info@gwartneyinstitute.org

As we are fond of saying here at the Gwartney Institute, Poverty Sucks!. It sucks the life and dignity out of people keeping them from being able to lead lives that flourish. We also have to keep in mind, though, that we are called to poverty of spirit. What does that mean? In this episode we explore this distinction focusing on economic themes such as poverty alleviation and wealth.
Show notes:
Atlas Shrugged
https://amzn.to/2Rw8MFj
Into Great Silence
https://amzn.to/2OlX6Tk
Contact us: info@gwartneyinstitute.org

In this episode we continue our discussion of "How Then Should We Work" by Hugh Whelchel of the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics. You can purchase Hugh's book at the link below.
amzn.to/2PGZtBE
Contact us: info@gwartneyinstitute.org

In this episode we discuss the first part of "How Then Should We Work" by Hugh Whelchel of the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics. You can purchase Hugh's book at the link below.
https://amzn.to/2PGZtBE
Contact us: info@gwartneyinstitute.org